Suffice it to say that everything was coming down around me. The nagging pain reminded me of my inflamed rotator cuff. We’d just learned our son had a concerning genetic issue. To top it off, our daughter was in crisis, causing tremendous stress in the family. It all culminated in tension at home as Ron and I struggled to handle it without becoming the “crazy family”.

Although physically and emotionally hurting, the spiritual aspect trumped it all. Like never before, I felt the attack of the enemy in heightened levels. There had been past seasons of grief, loss, and tragedy, but this time it felt like all-out war for souls and lives. A battle raged, making it feel as if pain would take up permanent residence with consequences that would have lifelong impacts.

Thank goodness I have my faith, knowing God is bigger than all my challenges combined. He is with me and thus, I’m not alone. He will not waste any pain, but will use it for my good and His glory. I know my good God will never allow things to happen in my life without first passing through His hands. Still, I felt weary.

Life goes on though, right? Amid so many heavy and hard things, you still have to pay the bills, do the laundry, and clean the house. Beyond that, I’d offered to host a Bridal Shower for a friend months ago. With it only four days away, I needed to get my plans together. I went to the computer searching for bridal shower games. By noon, I had the games figured out. In past weeks, I managed to purchase decorations and paper supplies along with three door prize bags. With the games now planned, I realized I’d need another prize bag. With my list in hand, I headed to get one additional bag plus a few other supplies.

Arriving at the store, I went directly to the gift bag area where I had previously purchased the decorations. My heart sank as I realized those specific bags were gone. There were larger ones and smaller ones, but not the size I needed. I stood there staring at the bag section for the longest time, as if it would somehow magically show up on the rack. Finally, after over-thinking the issue several different ways, I decided to repackage all four door prizes. It wouldn’t work to have three bags that matched and one that didn’t. I put four new bags in my cart and proceeded to take care of the rest of my list.

After picking up a gift from the bridal registry, I realized I needed wrapping paper and remembered seeing paper that matched the bags. (Yes, it had to match). So, I headed back to the gift bag aisle, but entered from the opposite end. As I turned into the aisle, I stopped in my tracks. Right there, completely out of place, hanging at an awkward angle was one lone bag that matched the three I’d already purchased. Tears welled up in my eyes as I whispered to myself, “Look how much God loves me.”

During a very heavy, very exhausting, very trying season, God had shown me He cared about even the most minute detail of my life. It was just a stupid gift bag, but it reminded me that if God ensured I had that one gift bag, He surely would be working on the harder stuff too.

Psalm 46:10 “Be Still and Know That I Am God.” (ESV).Oh yes He is, and I have a bag to prove it!